I would like to extend our thanks to all those who contributed to the the vital work of FCA at COP5. Your hard work and support helped achieve a number of favorable outcomes, including:

Adoption of a set of a guiding principles and recommendations on Article 6 that will provide a solid basis for tax advocacy and a good foundation for future talks;

Establishment of a working group on mechanisms of assistance with a mandate to find ways to support Parties implementing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC, , , );

Creation of an expert group on Article 19 (liability) to study existing best practices as well as the obstacles to litigation and how to address them; and

The decision to mandate the Secretariat to produce a report on options for an impact assessment of the FCTC at the 10-year mark.

The actions and decisions taken at COP5 significantly advance our efforts to achieve a world free from the harm caused by tobacco and will ultimately save people's lives in the years and decades to come.

in her speech at the Opening Ceremony, WHO Secretary-General Dr. Margaret Chan recognised the role that civil society plays in global tobacco control: "I want to thank civil society for doing so much to counter industry's claims with the facts, to expose their duplicity to the public eye," she said.

Of the COP she added: "I can think of no other undertaking that can make such a huge contribution to better health in every corner of the world. And that includes the health of young children and unborn babies ... Those who supported our work played a key role in providing this legacy. We are deeply grateful."

For their generous support, FCA wishes to thank in particular:

American Cancer Society

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Non-Smoker's Rights' Association

Global Bridges

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Cancer Council Victoria

World Lung Foundation

Action on Smoking and Health, and

The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries.